Honda’s most formidable SUV takes on the gruelling Mint 400

Baja Passport makes its debut

The 2025 Mint 400, one of the most prestigious off-road races in the United States, saw the debut of the all-new Honda Baja Passport race truck.

Competing against some of the most challenging off-road vehicles in the world, the Baja Passport thrilled fans and competitors alike. It ran as high as second overall before a mechanical issue halted its progress.

The Baja Passport made its off-road campaign debut by qualifying impressively in eighth place in class and tenth overall in the ultra-competitive unlimited class. This set the stage for an exciting race, with the 3.5L V6-powered SUV going up against powerful V8 trucks. The SUV also benefitted from starting at the front of the pack, avoiding the dust and congestion that typically plague slower competitors.

Eighteen-year-old driver Ethan Ebert and his navigator Gatlan Haddon wasted no time making an impact on March 11, 2025. They shot off to a strong start at the drop of the green flag, securing the holeshot in the infield.

From there, they embarked on the gruelling 95-mile course. Conditions were brutal, with jagged rocks, massive whoop sections, and blinding dust all adding to the difficulty of the Mint 400’s infamous terrain. This year’s race was incredibly challenging, with competitors noting that the course was rougher than ever due to the lack of rain, and each lap exacerbated the conditions.

Despite these challenges, Ebert and Haddon did quick work on lap one, reaching 5th place overall. During their first pit stop, the Baja Passport team executed a rapid 56-second fuel and tyre change, adding 60 gallons of fuel and two fresh 40-inch rear tyres. This fast and efficient pit service enabled them to continue their push, and by the end of lap two, the team had moved up to second overall, running neck and neck with the fastest in the sport.

Mechanical issue

However, as they began lap three, a mechanical issue struck, bringing Ebert’s charge to an abrupt end. Although the team could not finish the race, their performance up to that point showcased the immense potential of the new Baja Passport.

“We proved we have the pace to run up front and put this Baja Passport on the podium,” said Jeff Proctor, Team Principal of #9 Team Honda Baja Passport. “The mechanical issue guts us, but we will learn from this and return stronger for the Baja 500 in June.”

Meanwhile, the 2026 Honda Passport TrailSport also made an impressive showing in the Stock Production class. Piloted by Andrew Shapiro with navigator Craig Ackerman, the team faced an early setback when a mechanical issue required the car to be towed back to the pits for repairs.

Despite the delay, the team demonstrated incredible resilience, finishing lap one and completing a driver swap for lap two. Jordan Guitar and navigator Thomas Accardo took over for the night portion of the race, keeping the Passport TrailSport moving despite the course conditions deteriorating in the dark.

While the team did not have enough time to complete the final lap due to their earlier delay, they finished a commendable 28th overall out of 62 competitors in the Limited Race.

“The Mint 400 is known as the toughest off-road race in the United States and was a great challenge to test the capability of the new Passport TrailSport,” said Andrew Shapiro. “I am proud to be part of this team that took on the ‘Great American Off-Road Race.’”

Both the Baja Passport and Passport TrailSport received overwhelming support from the off-road community throughout the weekend. Spectators, particularly the 65,000+ fans in attendance, were drawn to the unique sight of the SUV-bodied Baja race truck, with many appreciating the distinctive V6 sound compared to the usual V8-powered competitors.

The Honda Off-Road Racing Team will continue its 2025 season with the 57th BFGoodrich SCORE Baja 500, scheduled for June 4-8, 2025. With their debut at the Mint 400, all eyes will be on the Honda Passport team as they aim to come back stronger and more prepared for the challenges of Baja.

Image: The Baja Passport made its off-road campaign debut by qualifying impressively in eighth place in class and tenth overall in the ultra-competitive unlimited class. Credit: Honda